Mo Ibrahim Foundation

The Foundation was founded by Mo Ibrahim.

Board
Accessed December 2011:


 * Mo Ibrahim - chair
 * Lord Cairns
 * Nathalie Delapalme
 * Sir Ketumile Masire
 * Mamphela Ramphele
 * Mary Robinson
 * Salim Ahmed Salim

Prize
As reported in 2009, the Mo Ibrahim Prize for Achievement in African Leadership is "the largest prize in history". "Usually said to be worth $5m, the prize actually offers $500,000 a year for 10 years, plus $200,000 a year for life subsequently, all without strings; plus a potential $200,000 annually for 10 years to be spent on useful projects. The Mo Ibrahim award has only been in existence for two years and, despite being larger than the Nobel prize, is still not very well known. The telecoms billionaire behind it is even less so...

"The party his foundation threw in Alexandria at the end of last year was characteristic of the man: a mix of gravitas (many of the most important figures in Africa were in attendance) and unstuffiness. When Youssou N'Dour sang "7 Seconds" everyone danced, from the ex-president of Mozambique to the director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency.

"Television coverage of the ceremony, hosted by Benin singing star Angélique Kidjo and punctuated by music, was beamed across the continent..."

The first Mo Ibrahim prize, awarded in October 2007, went to Joaquin Chissano, the ex-president of Mozambique, and in 2008 the prize went to Festus Mogae, former president of Botswana.

Prize Committee members
Accessed December 2011:


 * Kofi Annan - chair
 * Martti Ahtisaari
 * Aïcha Bah Diallo
 * Mohamed ElBaradei
 * Graça Machel
 * Mary Robinson
 * Salim Ahmed Salim

Articles

 * Issa G. Shivji, "The Mo Ibrahim Prize: Robbing Peter to pay Paul", Pambazuka News, 2007-11-01, Issue 326.

Related Sourcewatch

 * Monde Muyangwa